Two former Parramatta Eels players are accused of harbouring semi-automatic weapons and possessing more than half-a-million dollars in cash after dramatic arrests in Sydney's Centennial Park yesterday.

'Sabotage' explosion triggers evacuation of tens of thousands from Ukraine town

A huge fire at an ammunition depot in central Ukraine has set off a series of explosions and prompted an evacuation of thousands of people, with the prime minister hinting it was possible sabotage by the nation's enemies.

Authorities evacuated 30,000 people from the town of Kalynivka, 190 kilometers southwest of the capital, Kiev, and turned off the electricity and gas supply after the depot at a military base there caught fire late on Tuesday, local time.

The powerful explosions created massive fireballs that lit up the night sky. Hours later, smoke was seen billowing from the site. Four residential buildings were damaged by fire but no casualties have been reported.

The explosion has drive tens of thousands of people from their homes. (Reuters)The prime minister believes the explosion is sabotage. (AAP)

Local media reported that about 188,000 tons of munitions were kept at the depot including rockets for the Grad multiple grenade launchers.

Andriy Ageyev, spokesman of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, told the 112 television station munitions at the military base in Kalynivka were still detonating at the military base late Wednesday morning, local time. But Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said on local television the situation is under control.

Olena Gitlyanska, spokesman for the Ukrainian Security Service, told the Unian news agency that they are treating the fire as sabotage. She didn't provide further details.

Speaking at an urgent session of the Cabinet, Mr Groysman also suggested it was possible sabotage, saying that Ukraine is at war and that its expects that its enemies "will do all they can to make us weak."

Shelters have been set up in nearby areas for displaced peoples. (Reuters)